India Blacklists Four International Defence Suppliers Over ”Scam”

India’s Defence Ministry on Monday blacklisted defence supplier firms from four different countries, namely Israel, Germany, Russia and Singapore, for their alleged involvement in a multi-crore ordnance factory scam.

The country also debarred these firms for further business dealings for 10 years.

According to an official statement, these four companies are – Singapore Technologies Kinetics Limited, Israel Military Industries Limited, Germany’s Rheinmetall Air Defence and Corporation Defence of Russia.

Besides, two Indian firms namely Delhi-based T S Kisan and Co Pvt Ltd and northern state Punjab-based R.K. Machine Tools, have also been brought under the scanner.

The action came close on the heels of a charge sheet relating to illegal gratification being moved against Sudipta Ghosh, former Director General of Ordnance Factories and others by India’s investigating agency Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The official statement said: “These firms were issued notice to show cause as to why action against them should not be taken. After considering their replies, it has been decided to debar all these firms from further business dealings with the Ordnance Factory Board, Department of Defence Production and the Defence Ministry for a period of 10 years.”

While the Singaporean firm deals in Howitzer guns and small arms, the Israeli firm helps ordnance factories in production of ammunition for Bofors guns, the German company makes air defence and land systems, and the Russian firm deals in military equipment.